Catholic Priest Slumps, Dies During Mass In Delta

The Parish Priest, St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, Ika North local government area of Delta State, Rev Fr (Barr) Stephen Chukwuma, collapsed while delivering his homily during the New Year’s eve mass and died.

Chukwuma, aged 63, was the regional vicar of the Agbor Region in the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku.

His sudden death has sent shockwaves across the catholic community in Delta State and beyond especially worshippers who were thrown into shock on Wednesday night.

The Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku officially announced his passing in a statement signed by its director of Communications, Very Rev Fr (Dr) Charles Uganwa.

The late priest hailed from Akumazi-Umuocha in Ika North East local government area of Delta state.

Born on June 5, 1962, in Agbor, he began his vocation early as an altar server at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He attended Ngala Primary School and Ika Grammar School, Agbor, before entering the seminary in 1982.

His priestly formation included a Spiritual Year at St. Paul’s Missionary Seminary, Iperu-Remo, and theological studies at Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, where he completed his training in 1990.

He was ordained the same year by Bishop Anthony Gbuji for the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku.

Rev Fr Chukwuma served in several parishes across Delta state, including St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Asaba; All Saints Catholic Church, Onicha-Ugbo, and St Michael’s Catholic Church, Ubulu-Uku.

He also held key leadership positions, including rector of St. Felix Minor Seminary, Ejeme-Aniogor, and Dean of the St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Campus, Ekpoma.